This was the first league encounter of the season for the
second fifteen who travelled to Hamilton Park in Newtownards to face a
strong and experienced Ards fifths.The High School team was a mixture of
experience and youth with last years school leavers adding to the team
compliment.
The pitch was in good shape although there was a blustery wind blowing
with the occasional squally shower to dampen the spirits of the High
School travelling support
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The first half got underway with High School playing with
the wind . The
first fifteen minutes saw the teams testing each other out and committing
a number of unforced errors in their desire to be first on the score
sheet. The first opportunity fell to Ards who were awarded a quick penalty
virtually in front of the High School posts . They elected to run the ball
and were found wanting when the High School defence were more than a match.
The ball went forward , High School got the scrum and the chance for Ards
was lost.
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The first points were eventually scored after 20 minutes ,
Good pressure from the Former Pupils brought them to a line out within ten
metres of the Ards line. Stewart Thompson managed to secure the ball and
surge over the line for the try. Richard Atkinson missed the conversion.
This score gave the High School some confidence as up to this point they
were not playing as a unit and were guilty of missing tackles and failing
to secure sufficient ball in the tight and loose.
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The High School play started to improve and although they
had the lighter pack they began to dominate the scrums against an
experienced but unfit Ards unit. Ards for their part were doing well in
the line out and their back division had a number of challenging runs
thwarted by the sound High School defence.
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The next points on thirty minutes again came from Stewart
Thompson who , on the day , turned in an excellent performance overall.
The ball was won by Ards in the centre of the pitch and was thrown right.
Stewart was in the right place to intercept the pass and after beating one
attempted tackle he ran to the line for the try under the posts. Richard
Atkinson converted.
High School were now in the ascendancy with the back row of Scott , Lavery
and Wright getting stronger as the game went on.
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Ards however were not beaten by any stretch and fought hard
to get back into the game. Their work was rewarded when not long before
half time a good move across the Ards back line and a lapse of
concentration by the High School saw the strong running full back score
under the posts.
The game went to half time without further score.
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HALF TIME BHSFP 12 - ARDS 7
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With the wind generally against the High School in the
second half they
started in defensive mode . Indeed most of the second period was played in
the High School half but in saying so the defence was excellent. First up
tackling was good and both forwards and backs covered well to frustrate
the Ards attack.
After 5 and 10 minutes of the second half the High School travelling subs
, Kyle Brown and Jonny Price were introduced into the game to replace
Randall Lavery and David Wright both of whom had good sound games.
The next points opportunity fell to Ards who were awarded a penalty which
the elected to kick. The kick was missed and High School maintained their
slender lead.
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| High School continued to defend and where possible secure
ball to try and take play into the Ards half. Overall the play was
continuing to improve with Paul Lavery securing good ball in the lineout
ably supported by Niall Westland , Gareth McManus Brian MCGreal and Rory
Beattie. Unfortunately mid-way through the second half Brian McGreal was
given a yellow card by the referee who adjudged that he had blocked the
Ards full back on a strong run through the High School defence. |
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This left High School a man light with 15 minutes to go . The High
School eight and the backline knew they would have their work cut out to
maintain the lead but with strong commitment from the forwards and much
unseen work by Beattie , Scott , Westland et al the High School were more
than a match for the Ards 15 . The home team however secured the next
points with a penalty for offside in front of the pitch bring them within
2 points of the High School score.
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| High School needed a cushion and on the restart a good drop
out by Richard Atkinson saw Jonny Price catch the ball in the air , break
free from the Ards pack and make twenty metres. Jonny moved the ball right
through a number of hands to Gareth Adams who went in for the try. Richard
Atkinson secured the conversion .This was the best move of the day for the
backline which largely had done very well in defence and now demonstrated
their ability with ball in hand. |
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With 5 minutes left Brian MCGreal rejoined the match and shored up the
defence. With Ards pressing hard for a score the game finished with a well
deserved and hard fought win by the High School Second XV.
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| Labor Ipse Voluptas |
